NOVEL DISTAMYCIN ANALOGUES

Abstract: Described are pyrrol-amidinic compounds of general formula (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, processes for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions containing them, useful as antitumoral.

Description: NOVEL DISTAMYCIN ANALOGUES Field of the invention The present invention refers to pyrrol-amidinic compounds of general formula (I) (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts wherein : n is 0 or an integer ranging from 1 to 4 is 0 or an integer ranging from 1 to 4 A is selected from the group consisting of : acyclic, aromatic or heterocyclic residue B is selected from the group consisting of : a simple chemical bond, -C0-NH-CH(R 3 )-, -NH-C0-CH(R 3 )- wherein R^ is H or the side chain of a natural alpha-aminocarboxylic acid; X is selected from the group consisting of : -NHC0-, -C0NH- and wherein : i) R^ and R 2 are equal and are selected from the group consisting of : oxiranomethyl, 1-aziridinomethyl, C _/ j alkyl optionally substituted in position 2 with an OH, C 2 _4 alkoxy, halogen or -0S0 2 i j group wherein R/ j is selected from the group consisting of C^_ alkyl or phenyl or ii) R^ = H and R 2 is as above described provided that : when B = chemical bond, n is different from 1 when X = -C0NH-, B = simple chemical bond and m = 0, n is different from 0 when B = -C0-NH-CH(R 3 )- X is different from -NHC0- when B = -NH-C0-CH(R 3 )- X is different from -C0NH- Furthermore the invention relates to processes for the preparation of the above mentioned compounds, to their pharmacologically active salts and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them. Prior art Antibiotic dystamicine is a known compound of formula (II) : belonging to the pyrrol-amidinic group and showing interesting antiviral activity, for example against the herpetic viruses and Moloney sarcoma virus, is characterized by the ability to interact reversibly and selectively with DNA sequences rich in dA and dT bases thereby interfering both in the replication and transcription process [see Arcamone in B. Pullman and J. Jorterez (eds) "Molecular basis of specificity in nucleic acid - drug interaction" 369-383, 1990 Kluwer Academic Publishers]. As is known, antiviral and antitumoral agents nowadays used in therapy are characterized by serious side effects, limiting their use in a large number of cases which on the contrary should take advantage from the therapy; moreover therapeutical progresses are necessary in the clinical treatment of important solid tumors, as for example pulmonary tumors and ovarian tumors, not responding adequately to any treatment nowadays in use. A requisite for the therapeutic progress in this particular field is therefore the discovery of compounds having molecular moieties allowing them to increase the selectivity in inhibiting viral proliferation and the proliferation of tumoral rather than healthy cells. Detailed description of the invention The present invention has the aim to render available new antitumoral and antiviral compounds and in particular compounds • analogous to dystamicine containing new chemical modifications at the N- terminal side chain level, and/or containing a different number of pyrrolic residues if compared to the natural product. These compounds, show a marked antitumoral and antiviral activity, as well selectivity in the inhibition of tumoral cells and viruses with respect to the healthy cells. The compounds according to the present invention are those of general formula (I) (I) wherein : n, m. A, B, X, R^, R 2 are as previously described, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Besides, the invention, refers to pharmaceutical compositions containing the above mentioned compounds , or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, nitric and the like or with organic acids such as acetic, propionic, succinic, malonic, citric, tartaric, ethansulfonic, p-toluensulfonic and the like. According to the present invention, preferred are the compounds of formula (I) wherein: n is as above defined m is zero or an integer comprised between 1 and 3> A = cyclohexyl, p-phenylene, 1-methylpyrrole, thiophene, thiazole, imidazole, furan, isoxazole, oxazole, triazole, pyridine, pyrrole. B is a simple bond, or when it is a -CO-NH-CH(R )- group or a -NH- C0-CH(R 3 )- group, R is preferably methyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, hydroxymethyl , mercaptomethyl , carbamoylmethyl , benzyl, 4- hydroxybenzyl , 5-imidazolylmethyl, 2-carbamoylethyl , 2- methylthioethyl, 1-hydroxyethyl, 3~guanidinopropyl , 4-aminobutyl R^ and R 2 represent preferably an ethyl group, 2-hydroxyethyl , 2- chloroethyl , methansulf onylethyl . The following compounds are particularly preferred: 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[4-[N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]benzene- aminocarbonyl]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido ]propionamidine hydrochlorate ; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[4-[N,N-bis(2- chloroethyl) amino]benzeneaminocarbonyl]-pyrrol-2-carboxyamido] pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido] propionamidine hydrochlorate ; 3-[l-Methyl-i*-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[4- [N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]benzeneaminocarbonyl]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido] pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]propionamidine hydrochlorate; 3-[ l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[4-[N ,N-bis (2-chloroethyl ) amino]benzene butanamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]propiona- midine hydrochlorate ; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[ l-methyl-4-[ l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[4-[N,N-bis (2- chloroethyl ) -amino]benzenbutanamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]propionamidine hydrochlorate ; 3-[ l-Methyl-4-[ l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[ l-methyl-4-[ l-methyl-4-[N,N- bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]benzenebutanamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido] pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido] pyrrol-2-carboxyamido] pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]propionamidine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[4[N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]benzyl- amino carbonyl]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]propionamidine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[4-[N,N-bis(2 chloroethylamino)benzylaminocarbonyl]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]propiona- midine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[2-[4-[N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino) phenyl] ethanaminocarbonyl]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxa- mido] propionamidine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[2-[4-[N,N-bis (2-chloroethyl ) amino]phenyl]ethanaminocarbonyl]pyrrol-2-carboxa- mido]pyrrol -2- carboxyamido ]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido ]propionamidine hydrochlorate ; 3-[ l-Methyl-4-[ l-methyl-4-[3-[4-[N,N-bis (2-chloroethyl ) amino] phenyl]propylaminocarbonyl]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxa- mido] propionamidine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[3-[4-[N,N-bis(2- chloroethyl)amino]phenyl]propylaminocarbonyl]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido] propionamidine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[3- [4-[N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]phenyl]propylaminocarbonyl]pyrrol- 2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]propionamidine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[4-[N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]benzyl carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]propionamidine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[4-[N,N-bis(2- chloroethyl)amino]benzylcarboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol- 2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido] propionamidine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[2-[4-[N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino] phenyl]ethylcarboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxy- amido]propionamidine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[2-[4-[N,N-bis (2-chloroethyl)amino]phenyl]ethylcarboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]propionamidine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[N,a-[4-[N,N-bis(2-chloro- ethyl)amino]benzoyl]glycylamino]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]propionamidine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[N,a-[4-[N,N- bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]benzoyl]glycylamino]-pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]propionamidine hydrochlorate; Compounds of general formula (I) can be prepared according to the following processes: a) reacting the compound of formula (III) Λ N-A-(CH 2 ) m -B-C00H / R- (III) wherein B is a chemical bond or the -CONHCH(R )- group wherein R-, is as above defined, and m, A, R< and R are as above defined, or a reactive derivative thereof, with a compound of formula (IV) :ιv) wherein p is an integer comprised between 2 and 6 , thereby obtaining the compounds of formula ( I ) wherein X = -C0NH- , B is a chemical bond or the -CO-NH-CH(Ro ) - group and m, n. A, B, R j , R 2 and R are as above defined; a 1 ) reacting the compound of formula (V) (V) wherein B is a chemical bond or the -NHCOCH(R )- group, wherein R? is as above defined, and m, A, R^ and R 2 are as above defined, with a compound of formula (VI) H (VI) wherein p is an integer comprised between 2 and 6, thereby obtaining the compounds of formula (I) wherein X = -NHC0-, B is a chemical bond or the -NH-CO-CH(Ro)- group and m, n, A, B, R- R 2 and R-, are as above defined; b) reacting the compound of formula (VII) wherein m. A, X, R and R are as above defined, with a compound of formula (IV) (IV) wherein p is an integer comprised between 1 and 5. thereby obtaining the compounds of formula (I) wherein B is a chemical bond and m, n, A, X, R^ and R 2 are as above defined. The amidation reactions of the compound of formula (III) with a compound of formula (IV) wherein p is an integer comprised between 2 and 6, of the compound of formula (V), wherein R^, R , A, m and B are as previously defined, with the compound of formula (VI) , wherein p is comprised between 2 and 6, and of the compound of formula (VII), wherein R^, R , A, m, X are as above defined, with a compound of formula (IV) wherein p is an integer comprised between 1 and 5. can be carried out in the presence of condensing agents as DCC (dicyclohexylcarbodiimide) or EDC [l-dimethylaminopropyl) -3~ ethylcarbodiimide hydrochlorate] and possibly in the presence of hydroxybenzotriazole or BOP (benzotriazol-1- iloxy(dimethylaminophosphoniumhexafluoride phosphate) or by using a reactive derivative of the acids (III) and (IV) as for example an acylchloride , an acylimidazole , an acylazide or an active ester, such as 2, 4 , 5 trichlorophenoxyester or N-oxysuccinimidoester, or an anhydride thereof . Preferably the above defined amidation reactions are carried out using molar ratio of from 1 : 1 to 1 :3 in an inert organic solvent as for example dimethyl sulf oxide , hexamethyl phosphotriamide , dimethylacetamide , or preferably dimethyl formamide in the presence of a condensing agent as above described and of N- hydroxybenzotriazole or BOP and in the presence of an organic base as triethylamine , diisopropylethylamine and l , 8-bis (dimethylamino) - naphthalene. The reaction temperature may be comprised between -10 C and 50 C and the time required for the reaction ranges from 2 to 48 hours . The reaction of the compound of formula ( III) or the compound of formula (VII) with the compound, of formula ( IV) may be carried out using a reactive derivative of the compound of formula ( III) or of the compound of formula (VII ) of the above mentioned type , and therefore accomplishing the reaction in a biphasic system water- organic solvent as Schotten-Baumann amidation or in an organic solvent as for example a hydroxyde, a carbonate or a bicarbonate of an alkaline metal , preferably sodium , potassium , barium or an organic base as triethylamine, diisopropylamine , pyridine or N,N dimethylaminopyridine . The reaction is usually conducted at room temperature and the time required for the reaction varies from 2 to 24 hours . In the process (a) , the compounds of formula (III) wherein B is a chemical bond and m , A , R and R 2 are as above defined , namely the compounds of formula (VIII) R l \ N-A- (CH 2 ) -C00H / R 2 (VIII) either are already commercially available or they are prepared by conventional processes of the organic chemistry, starting from known compounds as reported for example in J. Med. Chem. 32, 774 (1989) or J. Org. Chem. 26, 4996 or in J. Med. Chem. 33, 1177 (1990). In the process (a) a compound of formula (III) wherein B is the group -CO-NH-CH(R )- and m. A, R^, R 2 and R-> are as above defined, can be prepared by the hydrolysis of the compounds of formula (IX) R l. \ N-A-(CH 2 ) m -C0-NH-CH(R,)-C00R 5 R 2 (IX) wherein A , m , R j _ , R 2 , R-a are as above defined and Rr is a protecting group characteris tic of the carboxylic group of aminoacids as methyl , ethyl , t-butyl , benzyl , trimethylsilyl , the hydrolysis of the compound of formula ( IX ) can be carried out following the known methods and processes of the organic chemistry as for example reported in T. W . Greene Protective groups in Organic Synthesis Wiley Interscience Publication 198l . A compound of formula ( IX) wherein A, m, R^ , R R and Re are as above defined, can be prepared by reacting a compound of formula (VIII) wherein A, m, R 1 and R 2 are as above defined or its reactive derivative with a compound of formula (X) H 2 N-CH(R 3 ) -C00R 5 (X) wherein R-, and Re have the above defined meanings. A reactive compound of an acid of formula (VIII) can be the same already reported in the present application for the compound of formula (III) or for the compound of formula (VII) and the reaction can be accomplished under similar conditions to those reported for the amidation reaction of a compound of formula (III) or a compound of formula (VII) with a compound of formula (IV). The compounds of formula (X) either are commercially available or can be prepared by the conventional processes starting from the corresponding aminoacids as described for example in E. Gross, J. Meienhofer, The Peptides V. 3, p. 102-132, 198I, Academic Press. In the process (a 1 ) a compound of formula (V) wherein B is a chemical bond and m. A, R^ and R are as above defined, namely compounds of formula (XI) \ N-A-(CH 2 ) m -NH 2 / R 2 (XI) either are commercially available or are prepared by the conventional processes of the organic chemistry as reported for example in J. Med. Chem. 33. 112 (1990). In the process (a') a compound of formula (V) wherein B is the group -NHCOCH(R ) wherein m. A, R j _, R 2 and R are as above defined, can be prepared by hydrolysis of the compounds of formula (XII) R l. \ N-A-(CH 2 ) m -NH-C0-CH(R^)-NHRg R 2 (XII) wherein A, m, R , R 2 , R are as above defined and Rg is a protecting group characteristic of the amino group of aminoacids as trifluoroacetyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, tertbutyloxycarbonyl, 9~ fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl and trityl, the hydrolysis of the compound of formula (XII) can be carried out following the methods and processes known in the organic chemistry as for example reported in T. W. Greene Protective group in Organic Synthesis Wiley Interscience Publication 1981. A compound having formula (XII) wherein A, m, R- R 2 , R and Rg are as above defined can be prepared by reacting a compound of formula (XI) wherein A, m, R^ and R 2 are as above defined, with a compound of formula (XIII) HOOC-CH(R 3 )-NHR 6 (XIII) wherein R-, and R are as above defined, or with its reactive derivative. A reactive derivative of an acid of formula (XIII) can be the same as reported in this application for the compound having formula (III) or for the compound having formula (VII) and the reaction can be carried out under similar conditions to those reported for the amidation reaction of a compound of formula (III) or a compound of formula (VII) with a compound of formula (IV). The compounds of formula (XIII) either are commercially available or are prepared by conventional procedures, starting from aminoacids as described for example in E. Gross, J. Meienhofer, The Peptides V. 3. P- 102-132, 1981, Academic Press. In the process (b) , a compound of formula (VII) wherein . A, X, R^ and R are as above defined, can be prepared as described in the International Patent application No. WO 93/13739 published on 22nd July 1993 i n the name of the same applicant and herein reported by reference. In the processes (a) and (b) a compound of formula (IV) either is a commercially available compound or can be prepared by the known methods [Gazzetta Chimica Italiana, 99, 632 (1969)]. In the process (a') a compound of formula (VI) can be prepared according to the methods described in the International Patent application No. WO 93/13739 published on 22nd July 1993 in the name of the same applicant and herein reported by reference. The compounds of the present invention have antitumoral and antiviral activity, in particular they show high cytotoxicity levels against the tumoral cellular lines. Moreover the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising as active principle a compound of general formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle or diluent. A therapeutically effective amount of the compound of formula (I) according to the invention is combined with an inert and pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. Conventional vehicles can be used and the compositions can be prepared using the conventional techniques. The compounds according to the present invention are useful for human and animal therapeutical treatment. In particular, the compounds according to the present invention are useful as antitumoral and / or antiviral agents when administered to patients in a therapeutically effective amount, for example a suitable dosage for the administation to adult patients can vary from about 0.1 and 100 mg per unitary dose from one to 4 times a day. EXAMPLE 1 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[4-[N ,N-bis (2- chloroethyl ) amino]benzenbutanamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]propiona- midine hydrochlorate (I, X = -C0NH- , A = p-phenylene, B = 0 m = 3. n = 2, 1 = R 2 = 2- chloroethyl ) . 4-[Bis (2-chloroethyl) amino]benzenebutanoylchloride (801 mg, 2.49 mmoles ) , (obtained by the corresponding carboxylic acid VIII, (A = p-phenylene , m = 3 , R^ = R 2 = 2-chloroethyl) (750 mg, 2.49 mmoles) by treatment with S0C1 2 (1.2 ml) in tetrahydrofuran (25 ml) under reflux) , are dissolved in 2 ml anhydrous tetrahydrofuran and added to a solution of 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4- ( l-methyl-4- aminopyrrole-2-carboxyamido)pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido ] pyrrol -2- carboxyamido ] propionamidine hydrochlorate (IV, p = 4) ( 327 mg, 0.51 mmoles) , [Gazzetta Chimica Italiana, 99. 632 ( 1969 ) ] and sodium bicarbonate (90 mg, 1 .11 mmoles) in 40 ml water. After one hour stirring at room temperature , the reaction mixture is evaporated to dryness and the residue is separated by chromatography on silica gel (eluent CHCl^/MeOH 7/3) thus obtaining 276 mg I (X = -C0NH- , A = p-phenylene , B = 0 , m = 3 , n = 2 , R : = R 2 = 2-chloroethyl ) (yield 60 % ) . ^-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ), d : 1.82 (m, 2H) , 2.25 (t, 2H) , 2.45 (t. 2H), 2.64 (t, 2H). 3.50 (m, 2H) , 3-70 (s. 8H) , 3-82 (s, 3H), 3.85 (s. 3H), 3-86 (s, 3H) , 3-87 (s, 3H) , 6.69 (d, 2H). 6.90 (d, 1H), 6.97 ( , 1H) , 7-04 (d, 2H) , 7-08 (bs, 2H), 7.15 (d, 1H), 7.18 (d, 1H) , 7-22 (bs, 2H) , 8.19 (t, 1H), 8.57 (bs,2H), 8.95 (bs, 2H) , 9-76 (s.lH). 9-90 (m,3H). The following compound of formula (I) is also obtained by an analogous process: 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[4-[N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]benzene butanamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido] propiona¬ midine hydrochlorate (I, X = -C0NH-, A = p-phenylene, B = 0, m = 3. n = 0, R = R 2 = 2-chloroethyl) . X H-NMR (DMS0-d 6 ), d : 1.80 (m, 2H) , 2.24 (t, 2H) , 2.50 (t, 2H). 2.62 (t. 2H). 3-50 (m, 2H) , 3-70 (s, 8H) . 3-8l (s. 3H), 3-83 (s, 3H). 6.68 (d, 2H) , 6.87 (d, 1H) , 6.92 (d. 1H). 7.04 (d, 2H). 7.13 (d, 1H), 7.16 (d. 1H), 8.18 (t, 1H), 8.65 (bs. 2H). 8.94 (bs, 2H) . 9-75 (s. 1H). 9-83 (s, 1H). EXAMPLE 2 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[4-[N,N-bis(2- chloroethyl)amino]benzenaminocarbonyl]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol- 2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido] propio¬ namidine hydrochlorate (I, X = -NHC0-, A = p-phenylene, B = 0, m = 0, n = 2, R 1 = R 2 = 2- chloroethyl) . (337 mg, 0.84 mmoles) of l-Methyl-4-[4-[N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)- amino]benzenaminocarbonyl] pyrrol-2-carboxylic acid chloride (VII, A = p-phenylene, X = -NHC0-, m = 0, R = 2 = 2-chloroethyl) , (obtained by treatment of the carboxylic acid VII (A = p-phenylene, X = -NHC0-, m = 0, = R 2 = 2-chloroethyl) (322 mg, 0.84 mmoles) with S0C1 2 (4.2 mmoles) dissolved in CH 2 C1 and in the presence of dimethylformamide) , are dissolved in 10 ml tetrahydrofuran and added to a mixture of N-deformyldystamicine (221 mg, 0.42 mmoles) and diisopropylethylamine (0.3 ml, 2.1 mmoles) in anhydrous EtOH (5 ml). The mixture is maintained 30 minutes under stirring at room temperature, then ethylacetate is added up to the precipitation of the raw product, which after separation by HPLC (H 2 0/CH CN/CF C00H 56/44/0.1) gives 162 mg of I (X = -NHC0-, A = p-phenylene, B = 0, m = 0, n = 2, R χ = R 2 = 2-chloroethyl), (yield 45 %) . ^-NMR (DMS0-d 6 ), d : 2.60 (t, 2H) , 3-50 (m, 2H) , 3-70 (s. 8H), 3.81 (s, 3H). 3-86 (s, 3H) , 3-88 (s, 3H). 3-92 (s, 3H), 6.74 (d, 2H), 6.96 (d, 1H) , 7.08 (s, 2H) , 7-18 (d. 2H), 7.25 (d, 1H). 7-28 (d, 1H) , 7-42 (d, 1H) , 7-54 (d, 2H), 7.69 (d, 1H), 8.17 (t, 1H) , 8.50 (bs, 2H) , 8.59 (bs, 2H), 9.49 (s, 1H), 9.88 (s, 1H) , 9-94 (s, 1H) , 10.09 (s, 1H). The following compound of formula (I) is also obtained by an analogous process: 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[4- [N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]benzenaminocarbonyl]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido] propionamidine hydrochlorate (I, X = -NHC0-, A = p-phenylene, B = 0, m = 0, n = 3, R χ = R 2 = 2- chloroethyl) . 1 H-NMR (DMS0-d 6 ), d : 2.60 (t, 2H) , 3.50 (m, 2H) , 3.70 (s. 8H), 3.81 (s. 3H). 3.85 (s, 3H), 3.87 (s. 6H), 3.92 (s. 3H). 6.72 (d, 2H), 6.95 (d, 1H). 7-07 (m, 3H) . 7-16 (d, 1H), 7.21 (d, 1H), 7.23 (d, 1H). 7-26 (d, 1H), 7-4l(d. 1H), 7.52 (d, 2H). 7-68 (d, 1H), 8.18 (t, 1H) , 8.47 (bs, 2H). 8.89 (bs, 2H), 9.48 (s. 1H) , 9-88 (s, 1H) 9-90 (s. 1H), 9.93 (s. 1H), 10.09 (s. 1H) EXAMPLE 3 N-[4-[N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]benzoyl]glycine (III, A = p- phenylene, m = 0, 1 = R 2 = 2-chloroethyl, B = -C0NHCH(R 3 )-, R = H) A mixture composed by glycine ( 600 mg, 8 mmoles), bis( trimethylsilyl)acetamide (3-25 g, 1 mmoles), and trimethylsilylchloride (0.2 ml, 1.6 mmoles) in CH C1 2 (20 ml) is kept under reflux for 2 hours. After cooling to room temperature, (3 g, 10.8 mmoles) of 4-[N,N- bis (2-chloroethyl)amino]benzoylchloride are added to the reaction mixture, which is maintained under stirring at 40 C. After 2 hours, the mixture is acidified with IN HCl and extracted with CH 2 C1 2 ; the organic extracts are collected and extracted on their turn with an aqueous solution of NaHCO , and the basic phase, after acidification with IN HCl is extracted with CH 2 C1 2 thus obtaining after evaporation of the organic phase, 1.32 g of III (A = p-phenylene. m = 0, R χ = R 2 = 2-chloroethyl, B - -C0NHCH(R 3 )-, R 3 = H), (yield 52 % ) : H-NMR (DMS0-d 6 ), d : 3-78 (m, 8H) , 3-88 (d, 2H) , 6.78 (d, 2H). 7-72 (d, 2H), 8.46 (t, 1H). EXAMPLE 4 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[N,a-[4-[N,N-bis(2- chloroethyl ) amino]benzoyl ]glycylamino]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol- 2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]propionamidine hydrochlorate (I, X = -C0NH- , A = p-phenylene, B = -C0NHCH(R 3 ) - , R 3 = H, m = 0, n = 1 , R 1 = R 2 = 2-chloroethyl) . 308 mg (O.58 mmoles) N-deformyldystamicine, 136 mg ( 1 mmole) N- hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBT) , 182 mg ( 0.85 ) mmoles 1 .8-bis- (dimethylamino ) -naphthalene and 191 mg ( 0. 11 mmoles ) [ l- ( 3~ dimethylaminopropyl ) -3-ethylcarbodiimide ( EDC ) are added to a solution of 270 mg, (O.85 mmoles) III (A = p-phenylene, m = 0, R^ = R 2 = 2-chloroethyl , B = -C0NHCH ( R ) - , R = H ) , prepared as described in example 3 and dissolved in anhydrous dimethylformamide (45 ml) . The reaction mixture is maintained under stirring at room temperature for one hour, then ethylacetate is added up to precipitation of the raw product, which after chromatography on silica gel (eluent CH 2 Cl 2 /anhydrous Et0H/H 2 0 65/35/2) gives 275 mg of I (X = -C0NH-, A = p-phenylene, B * -C0NHCH(R 3 )-, R 3 = H, = 0, n = 1, R 1 = R 2 = 2-chloroethyl) (yield 60 %) ^-NMR (DMS0-d 6 ), d : 2.64 (t, 2H) , 3-50 (m, 2H) . 3-78 (s, 8H), 3.82 (s, 3H), 3-84 (s, 6H) , 3-97 (d. 2H), 6.78 (d, 2H), 6.91 (s, 2H), 7.04 (d, 1H). 7.14 (d, 1H) . 7-18 (d, 1H), 7.21 (d. 1H). 7-78 (d, 2H), 8.21 (t, 1H) , 8.52 (t, 1H), 8.78 (bs, 2H), 9-04 (bs, 2H) , 9-89 (s, 2H) , 9-95 (s, 1H).

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Compounds of general formula (I) (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts wherein : n is 0 or an integer ranging from 1 to 4 m is 0 or an integer ranging from 1 to 4 A is selected from a group consisting of : an acyclic, aromatic or heterocyclic residue B is selected from the group consisting of : simple chemical bond, -C0-NH-CH(R 3 )-, -NH-C0-CH(R )- wherein R is H or the side chain of a natural alpha-carboxylic acid X is selected from the group consisting of : -NHC0-, -C0NH- and wherein : i) Ri and R 2 are equal and are selected from the group consisting of: oxiranomethyl, 1-aziridinomethyl, ^2-k alkyl optionally substituted in position 2 with a -OH, ^2- a koχ y« halogen or -0S0 2 Rh group wherein R^ is selected from the group consisting of C^ alkyl or phenyl or ii) R^ = H and R 2 is as above described provided that : when B = chemical bond, n is different from 1 when X = -C0NH-, B = simple chemical bond and m = 0 n is different from 0 when B = -C0-NH-CH(R 3 )- X is different from -NHC0- when B = -NH-C0-CH(R 3 )- X is different from -C0NH- 2. The compounds as claimed in claim 1 wherein: n is as above defined m is zero or an integer comprised between 1 and 3> A = cyclohexyl, p-phenylene, 1-methylpyrrole, thiophene, thiazole, imidazole, furan, isoxazole, oxazole, triazole, pyridine, pyrrole. B is a simple chemical bond, or when it is a -CO-NH-CH(Ro)- group or a -NH-C0-CH(R 3 )- group, R-, is preferably methyl, isobuthyl, sec- buthyl, hydroxymethyl, mercaptomethyl, carbamoylmethyl, benzyl, 4- hydroxybenzyl, 5-imidazolylmethyl, 2-carbamoylethyl, 2- methylthioethyl, 1-hydroxyethyl, 3-guanidinopropyl, 4-aminobutyl R^ and R 2 represent preferably an ethyl group, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2- chloroethyl, methansulfonylethyl. 3- The compounds of formula (I) as claimed in claim 2. selected from the group consisting of: 3"[l~-'ethyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[4-[N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]benzene- aminocarbonyl]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]propiona- midine hydrochlorate ; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[4-[N,N-bis (2- chloroethyl) amino]benzeneaminocarbonyl]-pyrrol-2-carboxyamido] pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido] propionamidine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[4- [N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]benzeneaminocarbonyl]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido] pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]propionamidine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[4-[N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]benzene butanamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]propiona- midine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[4-[N,N-bis(2- chloroethyl)-amino]benzenebutanamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol- 2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido] propio- namidine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[N,N- bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]benzenebutanamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido] pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido] pyrrol-2-carboxyamido] pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]propionamidine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[4[N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]benzyl- amino carbonyl]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]propio- namidine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[4-[N,N-bis(2 chloroethylamino)benzylaminocarbonyl]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]propiona- midine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[2-[4-[N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino) phenyl] ethanaminocarbonyl]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxya- mido] propionamidine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[2-[4-[N,N-bis (2-chloroethyl ) amino]phenyl]ethanaminocarbonyl]pyrrol-2-carboxya- mido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]propionamidine hydrochlorate ; 3-[ l-Methyl-4-[ l-methyl-4-[3-[4-[N, N-bis (2-chloroethyl) amino] phenyl ]propylaminocarbonyl]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxya- mido] propionamidine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[3-[4-[N,N-bis(2- chloroethyl)amino]phenyl]propylaminocarbonyl]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido] propionamidine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[3- [4-[N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]phenyl]propylaminocarbonyl]pyrrol- 2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]propionamidine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[4-[N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]benzyl carboxyamido] pyrrol -2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]propio- namidine hydrochlorate ; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[4-[N,N-bis(2- chloroethyl)amino]benzylcarboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol- 2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido] propionamidine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[2-[4-[N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)amino] phenyl]ethylcarboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxy- amido]propionamidine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[2-[4-[N, -bis (2-chloroethyl)amino]phenyl]ethylcarboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]propionamidine hydrochlorate; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[l-methyl-4-[N,a-[4-[N,N-bis(2-chloro- ethyl ) amino]benzoyl]glycylamino]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]propionamidine hydrochlorate ; 3-[l-Methyl-4-[ l-methyl-4-[ l-methyl-4-[ l-methyl-4-[N, a-[4-[N ,N- bis (2-chloroethyl) amino ]benzoyl]glycylamino]-pyrrol-2- carboxyamido ]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2-carboxyamido]pyrrol-2- carboxyamido ] propionamidine hydrochlorate; 4. Compounds of formula (VI) HO (VI ) wherein p is an integer comprised between 3 and 6. 5 - Compounds of formula ( IX) N-A- ( CH 2 ) m -C0-NH-CH ( R 3 ) -C00R 5 wherein A, m, R^, R , R-, and Re are as claimed in claims 1) and 2) 6. Compounds of formula (XII) N-A-(CH 2 ) m -NH-C0-CH(R 3 )-NHRg wherein A, m, R^, R 2 , R-> and Rg are as claimed in claims 1) and 2) 7> A process for the preparation of compounds of formula (I) (I) wherein : n is 0 or an integer ranging from 1 to 4 m is 0 or an integer ranging from 1 to 4 A is selected from the group consisting of : an acyclic, aromatic or heterocyclic residue. B is selected from the group consisting of : simple chemical bond, -C0-NH-CH(R 3 )-, -NH-C0-CH(R 3 )- wherein R is H or the side chain of a natural alpha-carboxylic acid X is selected from the group consisting of : -NHC0-, -C0NH- and wherein : i) R^ and R 2 are equal and are selected from the group consisting of: oxiranomethyl, 1-aziridinomethyl, ^2- a lkyl optionally substituted in position 2 with a OH, C 2 _4 alkoxy, halogen or -0S0 Rj | group wherein R^ is selected from the group consisting of C 1 _i t alkyl or phenyl or ii) R^ = H and R 2 is as above described provided that : when B = chemical bond, n is different from 1 when X = -C0NH-, B = simple chemical bond and m = 0, n is different from 0 when B = -CO-NH-CH(Rn)- X is different from -NHC0- when B = -NH-CO-CH(R )- X is different from -C0NH- comprising reacting the compound of formula (III), wherein A, m, B, R j and R 2 are as above defined, with a compound of formula (IV) wherein p is an integer comprised between 2 and 6. 8. A process for the preparation of compounds of formula (I) (I) wherein: B is a simple chemical bond or a -NH-CO-CH(Rτ)- group, X is the -NHC0- group and , n, R^ , R and R-, are as claimed in claim 7), provided that, if B is a chemical bond n is different from 1; comprising reacting the compound of formula (V) \ N-A- (CH 2 ) m -B-NH 2 / R- (V) wherein A, B, m, R-^ and R are as above defined, with a compound of formula (VI ) (VI) wherein p is an integer comprised between 2 and 6. 9- A process for the preparation of the compounds of formula (I) (i) wherein : B is a simple chemical bond X represent the -NHCO- group or the -CONH- group and m, n, A, R 1 and R 2 are defined in claim 7) . provided that: if B is a chemical bond, n is different from 1; if X is -CONH- and contemporaneously B is a chemical bond and m is equal to zero, n is different from zero; comprising reacting the compound of formula (VII) (VII) wherein A, X, , R, and R 2 are as above defined, with a compound of formula (IV) (IV) wherein p is an integer comprised between 1 and 5 - 10. Use of compounds as claimed in claims 1-3 for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions . 11. Pharmaceutical compositions containing as active principle a compound as claimed in claim 1 in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle or diluent . 12. The pharmaceutical compositions as claimed in claim 11 as antitumoral agents . 13. The pharmaceutical compositions as claimed in claim 11 as antiviral agents . 14. A therapeutic method for the treatment of tumoral affections comprising administering to patients , from 1 to 4 times a day, pharmaceutical compositions containing as active ingredient a compound as claimed in claim 1 , in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 100 mg per unitary dose in a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or vehicle . 15. A therapeutic method for the treatment of viral affections comprising administering to patients , from 1 to 4 times a day, pharmaceutical composi tions containing as active ingredient a compound as claimed in claim 1 , in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 100 mg per unitary dose in a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or vehicle .

Inventors: ANIMATI FABIO, ARCAMONE FEDERICO, DI PIETRO GIOVANNA, GIANNINI GIUSEPPE, LOMBARDI PAOLO, ROSSI CRISTINA, ANIMATI, FABIO, ARCAMONE, FEDERICO, DI PIETRO, GIOVANNA, GIANNINI, GIUSEPPE, LOMBARDI, PAOLO, ROSSI, CRISTINA
Applicants: ANIMATI FABIO, ARCAMONE FEDERICO, BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB SPA, GIANNINI GIUSEPPE, LOMBARDI PAOLO, MENARINI FARMA IND, PIETRO GIOVANNA DI, ROSSI CRISTINA, A. MENARINI INDUSTRIE FARMACEUTICHE RIUNITE S.R.L., ANIMATI, FABIO, ARCAMONE, FEDERICO, BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB S.P.A., DI PIETRO, GIOVANNA, GIANNINI, GIUSEPPE, LOMBARDI, PAOLO, ROSSI, CRISTINA
Application year: 1994
Main classification: C07D207
IPC codes: A61K31, A61P35, C07C237, C07D207